• Water retention
• Breast tenderness
• Mood changes
• Headaches

Premenstrual Syndrome's diagnosis may be differentiated from other medical imbalances by the use of a menstrual diary, which would correlate symptoms with the menstrual cycle. A women's health practitioner may take a complete medical history and physical examination to rule out such diseases as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and dysmenorrhea.

For treating PMS, there may be a combination of solutions used such as bioidentical hormone therapy, changes in diet and lifestyle. To obtain more information, click here Resources.

As women approach their late 40's and early 50's, menopause can become a vital health care issue. Menopause means the last menstrual period. Symptoms of perimenopause, the period prior to menopause, can begin as early as 35 years of age. Some of the symptoms that women experience are:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Mood changes

When perimenopause begins, the ovaries decrease the production of estrogen and progesterone causing irregular menstrual cycles. Eventually ovulation and menstruation stops and the production of estrogens and progesterone decline dramatically. In entering this transition of life, treatment may vary greatly. Options may include balanced diet, exercising, use of herbs, and possible bioidentical hormone therapy.

To obtain more information, click here Resources.

Andropause or "Male Menopause" is the decline of male hormonal function, which affects all men eventually. Changes typically begin after the age of 40; however, men can also experience hormonal changes sooner. The male hormones are called androgens, and include the most dominant hormone, testosterone, which is responsible for the structure of all body proteins. Some symptoms men may experience while going through andropause include:

• Decline in sexual function
• Decrease in muscle strength
• Loss of bone mass
• Aging of the face and neck
• Loss of hair on arms and legs
• And circulatory repercussions

Treatment of andropause may vary from person to person and may include an exercise program, healthy eating, nutritional supplementation, and/or bioidentical hormone therapy.

To obtain more information, click here Resources.

After the birth of a child, postpartum depression (PPD) can occur. PPD is characterized by frequent teariness or more extreme feelings of being unable to cope, rage, or the mother's fear that she may hurt herself or her baby. These feelings can occur anytime within the first year following childbirth. PPD has different levels of severity ranging from the "baby blues" to psychosis. Having the "baby blues" is characterized as a short period of anxiety and weepiness due to the shift in hormones immediately after birth. In the most severe case of PPD psychosis, mothers can experience extreme rage, severe depression, and delusions.

The treatment for these women may include a complete assessment of the individual's needs, including specific lab evaluations, psychiatric assessment, education, therapy, support, and medications, as needed.

To obtain more information, click here Resources.

Infertility is the inability to conceive a child and could be due to many different factors. One cause of infertility is luteal phase defect. This is inadequate progesterone production during the luteal phase of the cycle. Progesterone prepares the uterine wall for the implantation of a fertilized egg and supports the egg throughout a full-term pregnancy. Research indicates that "bioidentical" progesterone can raise the body's progesterone level and help women to conceive and carry a full-term pregnancy. When progesterone is low, there may be inadequate support for the fertilized egg and can cause miscarriages.

To obtain more information, click here Resources.

Endometriosis is a condition where the endometrial tissue normally found inside the uterus is found outside the uterus. These cells then implant themselves onto other organs in the pelvic area, where they grow and cause pain, infertility, and other problems. There are various treatments for endometriosis, depending on the severity of the condition, where the endometriosis is located, and the age of the individual.

To obtain more information, click here Resources.

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid is under active. There are various symptoms of low thyroid function with the most common being:

• Dry skin
• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Cold hands and feet
• And low basal temperature

The treatment may include bioidentical hormone therapy, nutritional supplementation, and changes in diet and lifestyle.

To obtain more information, click here Resources.

Hypoadrenalism is low production of hormones from the adrenal glands or an imbalance among these hormones. The hormones primarily produced by the adrenal glands are cortisol (hydrocortisone) and DHEA. Some causes of hypoadrenalism may be immune system damage to the adrenal gland, or an insufficient amount of stimulation by pituitary hormones. There are many symptoms associated with hypoadrenalism with the common ones being:

• Fatigue
• Nervousness and irritability
• Depression
• Weakness
• Salt and sweet cravings
• Inability to concentrate
• Allergies

A health practitioner may take a complete history, thorough physical examination, and lab tests to rule out other medical imbalances. Treatment for hypoadrenalism may include diet, nutrition, education, and bioidentical hormone therapy.

To obtain more information, click here Resources.